So a new semester is upon you. At this point you have already spent a small fortune on tuition, food, shelter, and a bus pass, all that’s left is to go to class and see how many new girls you can meet, right?
Well not quite true, you also have to worry about purchasing textbooks for all of your courses. Yep the high school days are over where you borrow textbooks from your school. Now you are officially on your own, you must purchase a textbook for most courses. With tuition already being expensive enough you have to somehow spend at least another $50-200 on each textbook you purchase.
Textbook Theory. Before I give my list of tips on how to save on textbooks, let me give you my most valuable piece of advice. Just because a new edition of a textbook comes out as you are beginning your semester, it does not mean you’re stuck with buying this new edition. In fact, the new edition is only “new” because it has up to date examples or new cases. In theory the information in a textbook should never be “new” because the content should be timeless so that people who graduate from the program at any time will know the same concepts. Think about it, a Nurse who graduates in 2005 should understand the same content as a Nurse who graduates in 2008, or else they wouldn’t be able to work together. Chances are everyone will be too busy buying the new edition, that you can buy the older edition off a student for a very discounted price. Once again the only difference between textbooks will be that yours will have a different page number or different examples. As long as you follow your course outline and understand the same material as the rest of the class you should be good.
Anyways, it’s time for my list of the four best ways to save on textbooks: (ranked from worst to best methods)
1. Buy used from school. School libraries usually have a used book section where they sell the same textbooks for a lower price. The main problem with this is that the price reduction is usually very small.
2. Buy new/used but share with a classmate. One of the best methods of saving money is to have a study buddy that has the exact same schedule as you. This way you will both be able to help motivate each other through school and you will be able to split the cost of the textbooks by sharing. The only problem here is that some people do not manage their time well enough to be trusted with sharing a textbook.
3. Buy from other students. Former students who purchased a textbook for a course have pretty much zero use for it when the semester is over. The student will try to sell it to the school but will immediately realize that the school offers a fraction of the retail value, therefore, it is better for the former student to sell it to you, and it is better for you because it will be cheaper than the school store.
4. Do not buy the textbook at all. No you should not drop out, but seriously, how many times have you purchased a textbook to only find out at the midpoint of the semester that you barely opened it? My advice is to go to the first few classes and make an honest decision whether you feel you really need this textbook. Some professors will be truthful and tell you that you do not need the book, while others will try to push it (only because the school makes them). Usually by the 2nd or 3rd class you will have a grasp over how the professor plans on running the course (lecture, PowerPoint, notes) and you can determine whether you need the textbook or not. If it’s a course that you heard is difficult or one that you feel you will struggle with, then you are better off purchasing the textbook. If the professor gives off the notion that exams will be based on their notes and power points, then you will probably not need the textbook.
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Better yet what you could do is go to the library, read the textbook, and make notes. The reason this has worked for me in the past is because I tend to procrastinate. By having the textbook for a limited amount of time I am forced to effectively manage my time thus leading to full utilization of time. I will be busy at the library this week trying to figure out which textbooks are available and which I’m going to have to actually procure for the semester.
After graduation now I still have a pile of books, I would recommend that after you use them to try to sell them back if you can get at least a decent return, I have not touched mine in the year since school, I just use google for most reference.
What are your thoughts on international edition books? I used quite a few of these and most of the time it was fine, the only issue that came up was when it would use all SI units and the US edition had some english units for math and engineering problems. Usually the paperback is easier to carry and lighter.
One thing I do know is that if do want to sell a textbook the beginning of the semester is the best time to do so. I’m actually going to school today to hang up a few flyers with a list of the textbooks that I have to sell. Obviously the major issue for me is that most of these textbooks are no longer valid since it seems that every semester there is a new edition.
I have never tried an international edition but I know of other students that have. All I can say is that as long as you attain the grade you were aiming for in the course then how can you complain? My rule is that as long as I can follow along with the course then there is no problem with having a different edition.
I am currently working on a part time masters degree so backs are a huge issue to still deal with for me. Yet, I counter this by using option #4: I do ot buy them at all! In this day and age, where the internet and google are so powerful, you can find any bit of information you need. Unless your teacher is asking you questions on a quiz or exam, “What is the fourth word on page 7 after the word ‘bailout’…” then you will be fine. Many classes buy books for case studies and if that is the case the library should have it on reserve as well. All about being resourceful in this day and age!
I totally agree with you on using the library for courses that are based on case studies. Unfortuneatly the problem with my school is that the library is usually very packed and often they conveniently don’t carry some of the more expensive textbooks.
This semester I only play on purchasing 2 textbooks. Both will be purchased used and split with a buddy who has the same schedule as me. One of the books that we pretty much have to buy is one that carries case studies simply because it is a new edition and the cases make up a major portion of the course grade.
Congratulations for getting into Grad School and I wish you all the best with your education and blogging ventures! I have a feeling I will be coming to you for advice next year when I will be considering Grad School.
You didn’t include the number 1 way I get most of my textbooks: buy online, usually used from Amazon.com! It’s usually cheaper than the bookstore’s used prices (sometimes even the new copy on Amazon is cheaper than the used bookstore copy!).
I also, as Ruben mentioned, rent some of my textbooks from Chegg. Usually I do a cost analysis on my textbooks to figure out what the best combination is. Most often, I end up buying most of them used on Amazon, and renting one or two from Chegg.
This semester I don’t plan on buying any textbooks. Like you’ve mentioned, I made the mistake of buying everything on the list in my very first semester. I bought what I could second hand but I still shelled out about 120USD, which is almost two weeks rent for me!
The main problem with the library is that everyone hires them out and places holds on them as soon as they start the semester (100s of students, 10 copies of the book, you do the math). I hope to get around this by getting in early, I’ve read and taken notes on a few of my required textbooks and the Australian semester hasn’t started yet. It also means I have a good foundation going into my courses. The downside: you have to be pretty dedicated to read textbooks in your holiday time. Luckily I’m very passionate about my area of study and I just see them as new books to read.
@Mel I can totally relate with the library comment. For the popular courses you can show up at the library a few hours before an exam, borrow the text book and study all day. Other courses your SOL on the first day of the semester. When that happens I check an independent site formed by former students that pretty much acts like a textbook broker. I do whatever I can to get that textbook at a lower price.
Your tips are very sound.
A couple points I’d like to add though:
Renting/Purchasing/Selling books online can definitely cut your costs over the long run.
I have several sites and other hints about textbook purchases highlighted on my website: studentfinancialadvice.blogspot.com